Obituary: Donald Gray Jr.

Oct. 30, 1921 - Nov. 13, 2008

Oct. 30, 1921 - Nov. 13, 2008

November 15, 2008

DOWAGIAC - Donald Gray Jr., 87. Donald's life began on October 30, 1921 in Volina, the second of four sons born to Pearl (Smith) and Donald Gray, Sr. He grew up in rural Cass County and enjoyed many of the delights of simple living. Donald worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Michigan during the New Deal planting trees in the Manistee National Forest. While working for the CCC, he met his future bride Mary Luczyk. They fell in love and after Don was drafted into the Army, she followed him to Colorado where they were married on February 15, 1943. Don was attached to the 495th Military Escort Guard Company from Fort Custer and was soon sent oversees. He was highly decorated receiving four bronze stars for his service. After the war, Don and Mary returned home to Dowagiac where he went to work for Rudy Stove (Sundstrand), retiring from the company in 1985. Donald and Mary loved to camp starting off in his parents old travel trailer and enjoying the many sites around Michigan. He enjoyed hunting squirrel and fishing. Donald took up needle point and cross stitch and paint by numbers oil canvases. He and Mary also were active in Marriage Encounter. He was a faithful parishioner of Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church. His greatest joy was his family which includes his children Gloria (Randy) Dennis of Kalamazoo, Joseph ( Connie ) Gray of Dowagiac, Rosalee Dennis of South Bend, and Dora ( Richard) Wojtalik of Shelby Township, nine grandchildren, and 11 Â½ great grandchildren. Donald passed away on Thursday November 13, 2008 at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2006 and three brothers, Skeet, Maynard, and Raymond Gray. His family will gather with friends on Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home where Father Leo Taubitz will lead the Rosary prayers at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Taubitz on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to Kairos Dwelling or Borgess VNA Hospice. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Donald at mclauchlin-clark.com .